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Sigma 8mm F3.5 FE or Tokina 10-17mm FE for R1 ?

Looking at getting an R1 and perhaps a new lens, your advice is most appreciated.

I need to get an additional and more manageable rig for mountain biking and hiking so my thinking was to get a Nodal Ninja Ultimate R1 & a smaller tripod to use with my Sigma 8mm F3.5 EX DG Circular Fisheye/40D. That way I would have a fast, small and light weight rig & my updated NN3 rig (below) for other lenses (until I can get an NN5). Which brings me to a couple of questions:

In the interest of keeping this rig as small as possible, do you think just using the adjustable tripod legs & the large bubble level on an RRS QR lever is adequate for any needed level adjustments (I have always used a ball-head but need to get small and light)?

Would I greatly improve IQ if I picked up a Tokina 10-17mm FE over my Sigma 8mm F3.5 EX DG Circular Fisheye? There are now 40D DXO modules for it, but if its not a significant increase in IQ over the Siggy for 360 panos I can wait.

Are many of you using the Sigma 8mm F3.5 EX DG Circular Fisheye with an R1 & 40D?

Re: Sigma 8mm F3.5 FE or Tokina 10-17mm FE for R1 ?

..more manageable rig for mountain biking... In the interest of keeping this a small as possible...Are many of you using the Sigma 8mm F3.5 EX DG Circular Fisheye with an R1 & 40D?

I use a Nikon D300, Sigma 8mm, R1 and a monopod. These panos were done during my last bicycle rally. http://www.dlsphoto.net/GWBR2010/GWBR2010.htm The D300 is really too big for extended touring. I would get the smallest Nikon. With practice, monopod panoramas can be as good as tripod panoramas. No need to carry a tripod when a monopod will suffice. Now if the tripod is going into the Sag wagon, that is another story.

Re: Sigma 8mm F3.5 FE or Tokina 10-17mm FE for R1 ?

As DennisS adviced, R1 and monopod is good candidate for hiking. A small carbon fiber tripod will be good too.
Leveling is not very important for spherical panos. The stitchers will take care of that.
Stick with Sigma 8mm unless you use a full frame camera.

Re: Sigma 8mm F3.5 FE or Tokina 10-17mm FE for R1 ?

For those using monopods, are you using rotators or just turning the monopod at guesstimated intervals? Also, if I use a monopod and I am sticking to my current 40D (APS-C) / Sigma 8mm combo, should I just get the R10 fixed at +5 up to cover the Zenith (I&#039;m guessing here) and just shoot the Nadir handheld? That would certainly be an ultra compact & simple rig
Can anyone suggest a carbon monopod that collapses sub 18" (needs to fit into Camelbacks)? I was looking at the the Velbon tripod below because its 16.5" collapsed (and I have its big brother), but a tiny monopod sounds like the ticket.

DennisS, those monopod road riding panos are fantastic! Thats what I would want to capture on trails without lugging my current boat anchor rig!

hindenhaag, that bar mount is very cool. Are you using it to take images while you ride? It would certainly be a great new way to mount my HV10 (other than my helmet rig below), though it may give more cam shake.

Re: Sigma 8mm F3.5 FE or Tokina 10-17mm FE for R1 ?

...are you using rotators or just turning the monopod at guesstimated intervals...

I put the R1 set at 5 degrees directly on the monopod. The key is to start with your back to the sun. Your monopod will cast a shadow on the ground that you can use as an index. 90 degrees is very easy to guess. A hand held Nadir taken at the last position is easy to process. http://www.dlsphoto.net/Tutorials/NadirShadow/index.htm